The Greek Orthodox Church of Saints Peter and Paul in Antakya was unfortunately destroyed in the earthquake and there was nothing left. The Christians of Antakya also began to search for icons and valuables in the church, and to collect and protect what they found.
The Greek Orthodox Church, one of the historical values of Antakya, was one of the Cultural Heritage structures damaged in the earthquake disaster of the century. The icons in the church were just as valuable and important as the church. However, after the earthquake of February 6, while there was nothing left in the church building, the valuable icons inside were also stuck under piles of stones.
Some Christian citizens of Antakya began to search for the historical icons and valuables of the church despite the risk of remaining in the dust.
The believers who came to the ruins of the church under the leadership of Father Paul Orduluoğlu, who was the deputy of the Patriarch of Antioch, 10th John, who rose to the level of Archimandrite in the past days, took whatever they found among the stones under protection.
This image of the Deputy Patriarch Orduluoğlu in ruins and dust was an indication of how much he valued churches and icons.
(SAT-7 Türk/İlyas Edip TERBİYELİ-İskenderun)
